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FORMER WCCS MEMBER: Eager to return for a second go-around

COLUMBIA CITY — After taking a break to plan his retirement, newly elected Whitley County Consolidated School board member Bill Tucker said he is ready for a second go-around.“I’m humbled by the support the community has given me, and I’m anxious to get back on the board,” said Tucker.BackgroundTucker first served as a WCCS Jefferson Township board member seven years ago, when he was approached by board members and asked to consider the job.“I was interested in the community without having a background in education. I believe very strongly that education is an economic issue, as well as a personal learning issue. A strong school system would lead to a stronger economic community,” said Tucker. “I accepted that opportunity and served about three and a half years. Then I chose not to run for school board since I was at the crossroads of planning my retirement.”Tucker retired from a 40-year career working in the banking and trust industry.“I hope I can bring that expertise to the board,” said Tucker.This fall, Tucker said he was approached again by some members of the community and asked if he would consider running.“I thought now that I have things lined up, I’d be willing to give back to the community,” said Tucker.ChallengesTucker took his post as a school board member hoping his experience would be an asset, not a stumbling block.“I pledge to myself and to the community that I will not make decisions based on how it was when I went to school,” said Tucker. “That’s no longer relevant. Things have changed so I hope I can always be open-minded.”In the area of facilities, food service and transportation management there will always be challenges. Tucker said those challenges are added to the ever-evolving educational piece. With a newly elected state superintendent of public instruction, Tucker said he is interested to see how that will affect the school systems.“Much of our duties and challenges are handed to us by the state,” said Tucker. “We’re not in total control of the educational process. It’s a delicate balance between what the state mandates to us and how can we accomplish that and still have personal touches to it.“For a more in depth look at this story, see the Nov. 20 issue of The Post and Mail. Don’t have a subscription? Call (260) 244-5153 or subscribe to our e-edition. For breaking news, sports updates and additional coverage, bookmark the homepage and find us on facebook.